An unofficial Croydon, Sutton and Surrey Green Party blog by Shasha Khan. Having lived in Croydon most of my life, I now live just outside the south west of the borough in Woodmansterne.

Friday, June 19, 2015

20mph consultation turns into a referendum

Selhurst family hustings at the Peppermint Centre

The first I got wind that UKIP's Peter Morgan*** [see arrow in above picture] was against 20mph in an almost fanatical way was at the first Croydon North hustings, which was strange in itself because he lives in Coulsdon (Croydon South).

He asked each of the candidates on their views on 20mph speed limits. He is an interesting bloke, and whilst I don't agree with his politics, he has told me on two occasions he admires the stand I have taken with regards to the incinerator. Maybe he did that so that I didn't get riled by his activities. Inside Croydon has many articles on him.

His activity has not been limited to social media, all across the consultation zone, his stickers and posters can now be found. I have today asked a public question to the Council asking if any action will be taken given there is clear evidence there is a connection between North Croydon UKIP and SayNoto20mph

For more info see press release at the bottom of this post.

Somewhat taken aback by Morgan's active misinformation, including leafleting the whole of consultation zone with at least two leaflets, local Greens are working with Croydon Cyclists to try an achieve a YES vote. Peter Underwood has written an excellent letter which was published in the Croydon Guardian.

Croydon
Green Party spokesperson Shasha Khan (1) said, “Just like on
Climate Change, UKIP are once again going against public opinion and
common sense by disputing the overwhelming and logical evidence. They
say that reducing speed limits to 20mph will have little if any
impact to road safety but research shows that, on
average, for every 1 mph speed reduction there is a 6.2% accident
reduction (2).”

“We
are pleased the Labour council are following other councils in
London, such as Islington and Southwark, in moving to 20mph limits.
20mph speed limits on residential roads has long been a national
policy for the Green Party.”

Shasha
continued “Unfortunately, the feedback I am getting from many mums
and dads is that they thought the notices pinned on lamp posts were
more of a notification rather than a consultation. They don’t
realise that they have to tell the council that they support 20mph
limits so that they are brought in.”

“The
no campaign have also been illegally flyposting their spurious
messages on lamp posts in the area. We must not allow UKIP to hijack
this consultation It is vitally important people go online and
complete the survey at http://www.croydon.gov.uk/20mph
or obtain a paper copy from the council.”

The
consultation ends on 24th
June. Croydon Council state that evidence has demonstrated clear
benefits from lowering speed limits in residential areas, including